Water-borne craft

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a water-borne craft comprising a flotation board for personal use (e.g. one or two man use) wherein the board has towards its leading edge/nose a portal formed in the board through which a user lying prone on the board may view underwater, the board being further provided with paddle means for propulsion of the board by a user while lying face down/prone on the board.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention concerns water-borne craft and in particularconcerns personal craft of the floating board type such as surf/bodyboards or which are otherwise known as water-sports boards.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

When holidaying at sheltered beach resorts around calm, clear-wateredareas, leisurely water based pursuits such as snorkelling areparticularly popular pastimes. By contrast, in more turbulent coastalareas with strong winds and waves, water-sports such as wind-surfing,kite-surfing, surf boarding or body/boogie boarding are, appropriately,more popular.

Surf boarding and body boarding are active sports that exploithydrodynamic features of specially streamlined full body length, finnedor shortened, finless flotation boards, respectively, to enable a userto ride incoming waves. In the more basic form of the body/boogie board,the finless shortened-length flotation board initially supports theupper body of a swimmer whose legs are submerged to propel the boardthrough the water until a good surfing zone is reached at which pointthe user can haul themselves more fully onto the board's deck, suitablylifting their feet from the water to then ride the surf. Given thatthese sports require a level of fitness and skill they are not ideallysuited to all, but their appeal is widespread.

The present invention seeks to provide an innovative design of flotationboard that is suitable for use by a wide range of different individualsirrespective of physique and skill, which may be used primarily forexercise and fun and which is not simply for use by sports enthusiasts.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provideda water-borne craft comprising a flotation board for personal use (e.g.one or two man use) wherein the board has towards its leading edge/nosea portal formed in the board through which a user lying prone on theboard may view underwater, the board being further provided with paddlemeans for propulsion of the board by a user while lying face down/proneon the board.

Particularly preferably the paddle means are hand-operated.

In a first embodiment the paddle means comprise one or more paddles andthe or each paddle is mounted to the board via a respective shaftextending substantially longitudinally of the board and whereby thepaddle may slide along the shaft forwardly or rearwardly of the board.Suitably the or each paddle is arranged to pivotally collapse toward theunderside of the board as the paddle is moved forwardly in the water.Preferably the or each paddle is formed with a scoop-like shape, havingat least side walls projecting from opposing side edges of a main planarportion of the paddle. Suitably the or each paddle has a handleextension extending upwardly from the point of sliding mounting of thepaddle to the shaft toward the user from the plane of the board.

The board suitably is further provided with a foot rest means at itsrear end/tail whereby a user may lie on the board with their feetagainst the foot rest to stabilise themselves when using thehand-operated propulsion means. The foot rest is suitably adjustablymounted to the board whereby it may be adjusted to suit differentheights of user of the board.

Suitably the hand-operated propulsion means has two independentlyoperable paddle means, one toward its left-hand side and one towards itsright-hand side. The user may thereby alternately operate the right andleft-hand paddle means or even operate them simultaneously and can usedifferences in operation of the right and left-hand paddle means toserve as a means of steering the board.

In further preferred refinements of the board, it is provided with oneor more cushioning pad means on its upper surface on which the user maylie for the user's comfort and to raise the user slightly from the levelof the board to better operate the paddle means and also facilitatingviewing through the viewing port. Where cushioning means are providedthis suitably comprises a plurality of pads or pad regions spaced apartlengthwise of the board.

Since the board is designed for relatively low speed use and is broad itis relatively stable, thus to facilitate hand-powered manoeuvring itsuitably has substantially no fin on its underside/hull.

Particularly preferably the board is assembled of one or more majorlongitudinal sections that are coupled together in use. Decoupling ofthe longitudinal sections enables the board to be stowed in a much morecompact state for storage or travel. For example, by forming the boardin two sections of substantially equal length, a fore portion and an aftportion, these may be stacked one on top of another to occupy a spacehalf the length of the assembled board. The releasable coupling of thelongitudinal sections of the board may comprise a pin-in-slot coupling.

In a further refinement, the board may be coupled to one or more lateralboard sections to provide a side stabilisation effect in the manner of acatamaran or similar. Lateral releasable coupling of board sections mayalso be used as a means for providing tandem configurations of board fortwo or more users to work together. Thus, for example, paired coupledboards may be used for training purposes or for two or more people toshare propulsion of the assembled boards. Laterally coupledsections/boards may be releasably coupled in a pin-in-slot manner as perthe longitudinal section couplings.

Particularly preferably the coupling together of two or more majorlongitudinal sections involves complementary shaped portions on eachsection and particularly preferably the coupling comprises a hinge.Suitably the hinge is formed in one or more protrusions from theunderside of the board, suitably where a fore end of an aft sectionoverlaps an aft end of a fore section of the board. Furthermore, thefore end of the aft section and aft end of the fore section are suitablyreleasably bolted together in use.

Preferably the hand operated paddle means or propulsion means comprisesat least one hand operated rotary propeller. Preferably the rotarypropeller comprises at least one vane spanning an annulus whereby thepropeller may serve also as a wheel by means of which the board may bewheeled over the ground.

Preferably the viewing port in the board has upper and lower transparentviewing panels, suitably formed as a viewing turret, wherein the upperviewing panel is mounted via a hinge mounting whereby it may be tiltedopen by a user of the board to mop the underside of the panel clean ofcondensation etc and/or to facilitate tipping of water out from withinthe port. Preferably the viewing port or a panel of the viewing port isdemountable for replacement or maintenance.

Suitably the board has drainage flutes/channels around the viewing portat an upper end of a turret of the viewing port and which drainageflutes/channels are inclined to drain water away from the viewing port.

Preferably the board is provided with a plurality of alternativefootrest positions comprising multiple prominences located proximate theaft of the board. Suitably the footrest prominences are formed in one ormore wells/recesses in the board. Drainage channels may be formed in thewells to drain water entering the wells to drainage holes that passthrough the board for discharge of water.

Preferably the hand operated paddle means or propulsion means comprisesat least one hand operated rotary propeller.

Suitably the rotary propeller comprises at least one vane spanning anannulus whereby the propeller may serve also as a wheel by means ofwhich the board may be wheeled over the ground.

Suitably the board has drainage flutes/channels around the viewing portat an upper end of a turret of the viewing port and which drainageflutes/channels are inclined to drain water away from the viewing port.

Preferably the board is provided with a plurality of alternativefootrest positions comprising multiple prominences located proximate theaft of the board and suitably the footrest prominences are formed in oneor more wells/recesses in the board. Preferably drainage channels areformed in the wells to drain water entering the wells to drainage holesthat pass through the board for discharge of water.

Suitably the propeller is mounted on a shaft of a crank handle and isdemountable from the shaft of the crank handle, preferably by a snap-fitarrangement having resilient retention means whereby manipulating theresilient retention means may release the propeller from the shaft ofthe crank handle.

Preferably the board has sockets or other engagement means thereon thatco-operatively engage in use with legs of a canopy to protect the boarduser from over-exposure to the sun

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be moreparticularly described, by way of example, with reference to theaccompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view from above of a first preferred embodimentof water craft;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the water craft showing one paddle atits forward-most position of stroke and fully extended while the otherpaddle is at its rear-most position of stroke and collapsed against theunderside to begin a forward stroke;

FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the water craft;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 1 but of the fore and aftlongitudinal sections of the water craft disassembled from each otherfor storage or transport;

FIG. 5 is a detail view of the nose/fore end of the craft from above,showing the pivotal sliding mount of the paddles to the board;

FIG. 6 is a plan view from above of a second preferred embodiment of thewater craft having rotary paddles and with a hinge mechanism forcollapsing together a front and rear sections of the craft for storageor transport;

FIG. 7 is plan view of the underside of the second preferred embodimentof water craft;

FIG. 8 is a side elevation view of the FIG. 6 craft;

FIG. 9 is a front elevation view of the FIG. 6 craft;

FIG. 10 is a rear elevation view of the FIG. 6 craft;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the FIG. 6 craft folded to its stowedstate;

FIG. 12 is a side elevation view of the folded stowed FIG. 6 craft;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view from above of a third preferred embodimentof the water craft;

FIG. 14 is a plan view of a drive shaft and crank handle assembly of theFIG. 13 craft;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the FIG. 13 craft from the underside;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the craft from above illustrating thecanopy installed;

FIG. 17 is a side elevation view of the craft with canopy installed; and

FIG. 18 is a top plan view of the craft showing a modified cushionlocated on the craft.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to the figures, the illustrated water craft is a full bodylength flotation board 1, akin to a surf board but having a relativelyvery broad fore end/nose 2 and having an overall deck 3 a shape in planthat is broader than a surf board (and broader even than a body board)and which is broadest close to the nose 2, unlike a body board. At thetail end 4 of the board 1 is a footrest 5 for the user to press theirfeet against while lying stretched out in a face-down/prone position onthe board 1.

The craft is not hydro-dynamically optimised for surfing in the mannerof a surf board or a body board. It is broadened to be adapted formanual mechanised propulsion at the fore end 2 and to enable the user toview the underwater environment and manoeuvre themselves convenientlywhile doing so. The board is designed for relatively low speed use andbeing broad it is relatively stable, thus to facilitate hand-poweredmanoeuvring it has no fin on its underside/hull 3 b, unlike a surfboard.

The fore end/nose 2 edge of the craft is suitably of the order of atleast 60 cm in width for use by smaller individuals or maybe a metre ormore in width for larger individuals. The nose 2 edge itself isrelatively gently curved forwardly and not sharply tapered unlike a surfboard. The width of the fore end/nose 2 of the board 1 is broad enoughto accommodate a central viewing portal 10 formed extending through theboard 1 and further to incorporate sliding paddles 20 that are handoperable to propel the board 1 through the water.

The viewing portal 20 is formed by a rectangular aperture extendingdownwardly right through the board 1 and which is glazed at its bottomwith a pane or laminated panel 11 of glass, acrylic, polycarbonate orother suitable transparent and robust glazing material. The pane 11 isdeeply recessed into the board 1 and thus the sides of the aperture 1provide a simple viewing cowl effect to cut down on glare from overheadsun and from the surrounding sea surface. A further extended or separatecowl/hood arrangement may also be added to the board 1 if desired, formore details on which see the embodiments of FIGS. 6 to 12 and 13 to 18.

As shown, the propulsion mechanism comprises a pair of paddles 20, 20′that are provided, one on each side of the port 10 and to be operated bythe left and right hand of the user, respectively. Each paddle 20, 20′is formed as a scoop, having a substantially planar, rectangular panelwith opposing upstanding lateral walls 20 a, optionally with an upturnedterminal lip, to enhance the propulsion force applied by the paddles 20.

The paddles 20, 20′ are each hingedly mounted to the board 1 by alongitudinally sliding hinge mount 21, 21′. The hinge mounts 21, 21′each incorporate a collar 22,22′ that slides along a respective shaft23, 23′ extending longitudinally of the board and built into the board1. The shafts 23, 23′ are substantially parallel to each other andaccommodated in respective elongate rectangular apertures 23,23′ thatextend right through the board 1. Handles 25, 25′ are provided extendingupwardly from the apertures 23,23′, being fitted to the top of eachrespective mounting collar 22,22′.

The simple propulsion mechanism is relatively easy to operate and isrelatively versatile in use. A user lying prone, i.e. face down, on theboard is supported by cushioned padded areas 26 a,b,c of the board andrests/presses their feet against the position-adjustable foot rest 5 atthe tail end 4 of the board 1. The foot rest 5 is position-adjustable byvirtue of a peg-in-socket locking mechanism to enable the foot rest 5 tobe advanced forwardly or moved rearwardly to accommodate differentheights of individual user.

With the user in place, they are in a position to easily view throughthe viewing port and to easily reach the handles 25,25′ of thepropulsion mechanism that extend upwardly from the mounting collars 22,22′. By gripping each handle 25, 25′ and moving the respectivehandle/paddle 20,20′ forwardly, the paddle is collapsed by the waterpressure toward the underside 3 b of the board 1 and thus presenting arelatively low surface area for minimising drag as it is moved forwardlyto its forwardmost position. The user then pulls back on the handle25,25′, moving the collar and paddle 20,20′ rearwardly along therespective shaft 23,23′ and in the process the paddle on its hinge isdragged by water pressure to its fully extended position that issubstantially orthogonal to the board 1 and which thereby optimises thepropulsive force applied. When each paddle again reaches it rearmostposition of movement along the shaft the user repeats the operationcycle, moving handle and paddle forwardly and with it collapsing againstthe underside of the board 1 in the process.

By having independent respective paddles 20,20′ on each side of theboard 1, the user has the freedom to operate one separately of the otherand thereby steer the craft to move left or right or pursue asubstantially circular motion. The paddles may be used alternately orsimultaneously if desired. Accordingly, the propulsion and manoeuvringof the craft is straightforward. Although the means of propulsion wouldbe tiresome to operate for a protracted period of time were travel theonly purpose of the craft, since the craft's primary role is as a meansof viewing the underwater world, this is in practice not a problem andthe combination of features of the craft of the present invention isoptimal for its purpose.

The board 1 may be formed of fibreglass or other lightweight composites,using the same or similar materials as those used in surf board or bodyboard construction. However, not only is the shape and configuration ofthe board radically different from a conventional surfboard, it is alsoadapted to be modular in construction having fore and aft longitudinalsections/modules 1 a, 1 b that are releasably coupled together to enablethe board to be stowed in a much more compact state for storage ortravel. As can be seen in FIG. 4, a pair of rectangular sectionrods/pins 6 projecting from the rear end edge of the fore section 1 aare configured to securely locate into corresponding sockets 7 in thefore end edge of the aft section 1 b. The arrangement suitably has apush fit/friction fit action whereby the sections will not come apart inuse.

In a corresponding development for use of two or more boards intandem/as a catamaran arrangement, although not illustrated, a similarreleasable coupling means may be provided on the sides/rails 27 of theboard 1. With further regard to the sides/rails 27 of the board 1, itwill be further noted from the drawings that these are each providedwith a raised rim 27 a to give even greater strength to the constructionof the board 1 and the resulting greater height of the rail 27 willfurther facilitate side-by-side joining of boards 1.

Referring now to FIGS. 6 to 12, these show a second preferred embodimentof the water craft and of which the flotation board 1′ is formed as aplastics moulding that is suitably formed of EPP by a rotationalmoulding process. It comprises a fore section 1 a′ and aft section 1 b′similarly arranged to the first preferred embodiment but both speciallyshaped to be coupled together and being hinged together by a hinge 30 atthe junction between the fore and aft sections 1 a′ and 1 b′. Use of twolongitudinal sections shaped to couple together in construction of theboard affords substantial economy and much greater flexibility inmoulding of the board.

The co-operating elements of the hinge 30 are suitably integrallymoulded from the respective fore and aft sections 1 a′, 1 b′. Thepivoting axis of the hinge 30 is configured on the underside of theboard 1′ in inter-digitating downwardly protruding extensions 31 a, 31 bof the board 1′.

The sections 1 a′, 1 b′ may thus be folded together so that theirunderside surfaces are brought into closely adjacent substantially planeparallel relationship to each other providing a compact stowed state andin which the underside of the board is protected. The underside of theboard 1′ further has integrally moulded fore and aft small fin-shapedfeet protrusions 33 on which the craft may be rested on the groundgiving ground clearance.

When in its operative state as illustrated in FIGS. 5 to 9, the board 1′is locked in that state by overlapping of a fore edge 34 of the aftsection 1 b′ with an aft edge 35 of the fore section 1 a′ and wherethose two edges 34, 35 are secured in their overlapping arrangement by asecuring bolt means—here a moulded plastics bolt 37 a having an externalthread, which extends down through corresponding threaded apertures 36,37 in the respective edges 34, 35.

Again, for ease of handling of the device for transport and storage, itis suitably provided with a handle at one or both ends and isillustrated in FIG. 6 as having a handle cut-out region 38 a at the aftend of the aft section 1 b′. Further handle cut-outs 38 b are providedon the fore end of the aft section 1 b′ and which is on its uppersurface extended forwardly to provide the overlap with the aft end ofthe fore section 1 a′. By means of these handle cut-outs 38 in the foreedge 34 of the rear section 1 b′ of the board 1′, the user may morereadily handle and carry the board 1′ in its folded state. A hole 38 cis provided at the nose end of the board's fore section 1 a′ fortethering the board with a rope or the like and a cup-holder recess 73is also provided in the fore section 1 a′.

In further substantial distinction over the first preferred embodiment,the second preferred embodiment is provided with a pair of rotary handdriven propellers 40 on the fore section 1 a′, either side of theviewing port 10′.

Each respective propeller 40 is formed of a unitary plastics mouldingcomprising an annulus 41 with four vanes 42 arranged in a crosstraversing the annulus 41 and projecting from a planar cross-shaped webtraversing the annulus 41.

The annulus 41 not only strengthens the propeller 40 but also enables itto have dual functionality, serving as a wheel by means of which theboard 1′ may be trundled over the ground if needed, either while theboard is extended and inverted or while the board is folded.

Each propeller 40 is mounted to the board fore section 1 a′ by an axleshaft 43 that extends through a hole through a raised cradle mount 27 bformed from a raised portion of the sides/rails 27′ of the board 1′. Arespective crank handle 44 is provided coupled to each of the shafts 43of the respective propellers 40 to enable the user to operate therespective propeller 40 by rotating the crank handle 44. The upperface/deck of the board 1′ is provided with a recessed zone 74immediately below each crank handle 44 to provide extra clearance forthe user's hands.

Referring to FIG. 14, this illustrates the preferred structure of theaxle shaft 43/crank handle 44, showing that it is suitably formed with aunitary plastics moulding skeleton 45 having a flattened S-shaped formand one end of which is adapted to function as the axle shaft 43, havinga rectangular/acircular sleeve 46 mounted thereover and the other endproviding the crank handle 44 with a circular cylindrical handle sleeve47 thereon. The tubular handle sleeve 47 is push-fitted on to theskeleton 45 by sliding over a resilient member/collett fingers 48 atthat end of the skeleton 45 until the sleeve 47 abuts an annular stopflange 49 having passed behind retention shoulders 50 of the collettfingers 48. The collett fingers 48 thus resiliently deform to allow thesleeve 47 to be mounted in place and as they spring back into positionthey retain the sleeve 47 in place. Conversely, the sleeve 47 may bedemounted by squeezing together the collett fingers 48 and backing thesleeve 47 off the skeleton 45.

At the propeller end of the drive shaft skeleton 45, a similararrangement is provided for demountably securing the axle shaft sleeve46 in place. Here too collett fingers 48 on the skeleton 45 canresiliently deform to allow the axle shaft sleeve 46 to be push mountedon to that end of the skeleton 45 before springing back into place toretain the sleeve 46. From FIG. 14 it will be seen that a further sleeveis provided on the skeleton 45 and which is mounted on the skeleton 45ahead of the axle shaft sleeve 46, this further sleeve is a bush collar51, which press fits into the hole of the cradle mount 27 b at the frontof the board 1. This bush 51 is suitably fitted when the board 1moulding is warmed so that the moulding contracts around the bush sleeve51 but may be adapted to be removable when it needs replacing. The nylonbush 51 abuts up against an annular stop flange 49′ on the skeleton 45.The bush 51 has a circular cylindrical inner surface and surrounds acircular cylindrical outer profile of the skeleton 45 whereby theskeleton 45 may rotate within the bush 51. The same is true of thehandle sleeve 47 which is able to rotate around the skeleton 45 since ittoo has a circular cylindrical bore and where that portion of theskeleton 45 has a circular cylindrical outer profile.

The axle shaft sleeve 46 differs from the other two sleeves 47, 51 inthat it is rectangular or acircular in external profile but also ininternal profile and is thus keyed to the drive shaft skeleton 45 torotate therewith but not thereabout. The propeller 40 has acorrespondingly rectangular shaped hub recess that mounts over therectangular external profile of the drive shaft sleeve 46, keying thepropeller 40 to the drive shaft sleeve 46 and hence to the axle shaftskeleton 45 so that cranking revolutionary movement of the hand end 44of the skeleton 45 will cause the skeleton 45 to revolve within the bush51 and will cause the propeller 40 to revolve about its axis.

The construction of the axle shaft/drive shaft assembly havingresiliently deformable retention means 48 at each end enables demountingof the propeller from the axle shaft 45 to further facilitate storage ortransport of the board 1 if the axle shaft further needs to be demountedfor compactness or to facilitate maintenance or replacement of thoseworking parts. The handle sleeve 47 is also demountable for maintenanceor replacement.

Turning now to the viewing port 10′, this differs from the viewing portof the first embodiment by having a raised cowl 60 formed as an integralpart of the moulding of the board 1′ and which has a rectangular shapein plan but in profile is inclined downwardly in the aft direction ofthe board. The viewing port 10′ is configured as a viewing turret and asviewed in plan from above as in FIG. 6 the sides of the cowl 60 alltaper downwardly. Furthermore, as viewed from the underside as in FIG.7, it will be seen that the viewing port 10′ underside substantiallyconforms to the tapering cowl walls 60 of the top surface and thus has arelatively broad aperture area at the base compared to the upperaperture area of the viewing port 10′. In this embodiment, the viewingport 10′ has two glazing panels—one 11 a′ sits at the top of the viewingport 10′ turret spanning the aperture of the viewing port 10′ and theother of which 10 b′ is mounted to the base of the viewing port spanningthe wide basal aperture area and is substantially flush with theunderside of the board or somewhat recessed into it.

Suitably each viewing panel 11 a, 11 b is of glass, acrylic ortransparent polycarbonate or similar and the lower panel 11 b ispreferably held in place to the underside of the board by threaded boltsaround its perimeter and suitably is sealed against ingress of waterfrom below by use of clear silicone all around the perimeter and use ofa gasket around the perimeter. By use of bolts and other demountablefixing means, the lower panel 11 b may be removed for maintenance orreplacement if necessary but is less readily demountable than thepropellers since it is not intended to be routinely demounted.

The upper panel 11 a suitably is mounted within the viewing turretstructure on the inner rim just below the upper edge of the cowl 60 andis suitably seated against a gasket but is hinge mounted in place by ahinge that passes through hinge aperture 61 in the turret on each sideof the viewing port 10 (see FIG. 13). This hinge mounting of the upperviewing panel 11 a enables it to be tilted upwardly for access withinthe chamber of the viewing turret to facilitate removal of anycondensation. If any significant volume of water has entered the turretthis may be drained from it by inverting the board while opening theupper viewing panel at its hinge.

Generally, any water landing on the upper viewing panel 11 a will runoff it and drain from the viewing cowl 60 via drainage flutes 63 aroundthe perimeter of the upper viewing panel at the inner rim 62 of theviewing cowl 60. The incline of the upper end of the cowl from front torear facilitate drainage.

Additional drainage features in the construction of the board includethe camber of the upper board surface as can best be seen in FIG. 10.The top surface of the board 1′ is relatively somewhat higher closer tothe median longitudinal axis of the board 1′ and slopes gently towardthe lateral edges of the board 1′. The board may also be arranged toslope somewhat toward the rear and is provided with further drainagefeatures at the rear end.

Unlike the first embodiment, the second (and third embodiment) areprovided with integrally moulded footwells/footrests 5′ positions. Apair of footwells 65 is provided in the aft section 1 b′ one each sideof the longitudinal median line of the board and each incorporates aplurality of footrest prominences 66. The multiple prominences/ridges orblocks 66 provide the user with a range of different foot positions tosuit the height of the user and to enable the user to achieve optimalcomfort and mechanical advantage when lying on the board prone and usingthe hand propulsion system.

As can best be seen with respect to the third embodiment of theinvention shown in FIG. 13, the board aft section 1 b′ is suitablyprovided with an enhanced drainage arrangement at the footwells 65 byprovision of drainage flutes/channels 67 running along a lateral edge ofeach footwell 65 and inclined at a slope that is illustrated as beingfrom front to rear and where at the rear end of each channel 67 there isa drainage hole 68 through the board to allow any water entering thefootwells to be discharged through the bottom of the board (see FIGS. 15and 17).

The third illustrated embodiment of the invention, illustrated in FIGS.13 to 18, technically differs most notably from the second embodimentby, in addition to the drainage channels 67 in the footwells 65 at therear of the board, having mounts 69 for a canopy. Whereas the propellershere have three vanes, the craft suitably has at least three vanes oneach propeller and preferably four or more.

Canopy 70 is illustrated in FIGS. 16 and 17 as held on a supportstructure above the prone user on the board. The support structure herecomprises a leg structure 71, 72 on each side of the canopy to couple tothe corresponding side rail of the board 1′. Each leg structurecomprises a pair of legs 71 a,b: 72 a,b hinged together at mid height tobe collapsible in a scissor action for storage, each leg being hingedlymounted to the canopy at its upper end for this purpose. The lower endof each leg has an inwardly angled portion to push-fit into acorresponding socket 69 in the corresponding side/rail 27 of the board.

The provision of a demountable and stowable canopy for use with theboard is particular valuable to protect the user from excessive sunexposure. The use of the board of the present invention can be addictiveand users may expose themselves to more sun on their back than is wisebut the ability to counter this through use of the canopy enables theuser to enjoy the board fully while protected from the sun.

1. A water-borne craft comprising a flotation board for personal use wherein the board has towards its leading edge/nose a portal formed in the board through which a user lying prone on the board may view underwater, the board being further provided with paddle means for propulsion of the board by a user while lying face down/prone on the board.
 2. A water-borne craft as claimed in claim 1, wherein the paddle means are hand-operated.
 3. A water-borne craft as claimed in claim 1, wherein the paddle means comprise one or more paddles and the or each paddle is mounted to the board via a respective shaft extending substantially longitudinally of the board and whereby the paddle may slide along the shaft forwardly or rearwardly of the board.
 4. A water-borne craft as claimed in claim 3, wherein the or each paddle is arranged to pivotally collapse toward the underside of the board as the paddle is moved forwardly in the water.
 5. A water-borne craft as claimed in claim 3, wherein the or each paddle is formed with a scoop-like shape, having at least side walls projecting from opposing side edges of a main planar portion of the paddle.
 6. A water-borne craft as claimed in claim 3, wherein the or each paddle has a handle extension extending toward the user from the plane of the board upwardly from the sliding mount that mounts the paddle to the shaft.
 7. A water-borne craft as claimed in claim 1, wherein the board is further provided with a foot rest means at its rear end/tail whereby a user may lie on the board with their feet against the foot rest to stabilise themselves when using the hand-operated propulsion means.
 8. A water-borne craft as claimed in claim 7, wherein the foot rest is adjustably mounted to the board whereby it may be adjusted to suit different heights of user of the board.
 9. A water-borne craft as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hand-operated propulsion means has two independently operable paddle means, one toward its left-hand side and one towards its right-hand side.
 10. A water-borne craft as claimed in claim 1, wherein the board is provided with one or more cushioning pad means on its upper surface on which the user may lie for the user's comfort and to raise the user slightly from the level of the board to better operate the paddle means and suitably also facilitating viewing through the viewing port.
 11. A water-borne craft as claimed in claim 1, wherein the board has substantially no fin on its underside/hull.
 12. A water-borne craft as claimed in claim 1, wherein the board is assembled of two or more major longitudinal sections that are coupled together in use.
 13. A water-borne craft as claimed in claim 12, wherein the releasable coupling of the longitudinal sections of the board comprises a pin-in-slot coupling.
 14. A water-borne craft as claimed in claim 1, wherein, the board is adapted to be coupled to one or more lateral board sections or boards.
 15. A water-borne craft as claimed in claim 12, wherein the coupling together of two or more major longitudinal sections of the board comprises a hinge.
 16. A water-borne craft as claimed in claim 15, wherein the hinge is formed in protrusions from the underside of the board and where a fore end of an aft section overlaps an aft end of a fore section of the board.
 17. A water-borne craft as claimed in claim 16, wherein the fore end of the aft section and aft end of the fore section are releasably bolted together in use.
 18. A water-borne craft as claimed in claim 2, wherein the hand operated paddle means or propulsion means comprises at least one hand operated rotary propeller.
 19. A water-borne craft as claimed in claim 1, wherein the paddle means comprise at least one rotary propeller.
 20. A water-borne craft as claimed in claim 19, wherein the at least one rotary propeller comprises at least one vane spanning an annulus whereby the propeller may serve also as a wheel by means of which the board may be wheeled over the ground.
 21. A water-borne craft as claimed in claim 1, wherein the viewing port in the board has upper and lower transparent viewing panels wherein the upper viewing panel is mounted via a hinge mounting whereby it may be tilted open by a user of the board.
 22. A water-borne craft as claimed in claim 1, wherein the viewing port or a viewing panel of the viewing port is demountable for replacement or maintenance.
 23. A water-borne craft as claimed in claim 1, wherein the board has drainage flutes/channels around the viewing port at an upper end of a turret of the viewing port and which drainage flutes/channels are inclined to drain water away from the viewing port.
 24. A water-borne craft as claimed in claim 1, wherein the board is provided with a plurality of alternative footrest positions comprising multiple prominences located proximate the aft of the board.
 25. A water-borne craft as claimed in claim 1, wherein the footrest prominences are formed in one or more wells/recesses in the board.
 26. A water-borne craft as claimed in claim 25, wherein drainage channels are formed in the wells to drain water entering the wells to drainage holes that pass through the board for discharge of water.
 27. A water-borne craft as claimed in claim 19, wherein the propeller is mounted on a shaft of a crank handle and is demountable from the shaft of the crank handle.
 28. A water-borne craft as claimed in claim 27, wherein the propeller is mounted to the shaft of the crank handle by a snap-fit arrangement having resilient retention means whereby manipulating the resilient retention means may release the propeller from the shaft of the crank handle.
 29. A water-borne craft as claimed in claim 1, wherein the board has sockets or other engagement means thereon that co-operatively engage in use with legs of a canopy.
 30. A water-borne craft as claimed in claim 29, further in combination with a canopy. 